Just Look, Don't Touch

I have a feeling that after we're done moving and I've unpacked everything, life will get very boring unless I decide to be proactive. I'm at an interesting point in my life, and I'll cover that in a different post, but the fact remains that I am a graduated college student with nothing to busy herself with at this point in time other than moving apartments, and so what in heavens name should I do until then?!

Well, let's see. I have a "pin-but-never-act" relationship with my Pinterest boards. So many cute projects that I just sit and stare at but never attempt. I look at the pictures but never advance to the "hands-on" stage.

I have an idea.
A mad, crazy idea.
Why don't I actually put my Pinterest boards to use!
*Gasp*
Crazy idea, I know.
But there are some dang cute things on there, and I want to actually put my mind to work on some of these things.

Here are some of my top "must-try" picks for the summer (all pictures and links can be found on my Pinterest boards)


Re-purposed bottles (Doug and I don't drink, but empty Martinelli's bottles work!)

This birthday sign. How cute is it?! I mean...

Simple skirt. I admit, sewing scares me. At least, sewing something without a pattern scares me. This skirt is freehand. Think I can do it? Maybe?

Figure out cute ways to organize everything. Organization is something I need more of.

Cheesy Onion Pull-Apart Bread. Get in my belly.

Actually, everything on my food board can just get in my belly. And I've made a goal to try to start cooking actual meals more, instead of just popping pasta on the stove or slapping a grilled cheese sandwich together. And actually, I just need to cook more in general. Doug has had his turn.

There are many more things - flower vases, up-cycled furniture, wreaths - so I know I can find ways to keep myself entertained.

Meanwhile, we find out if Doug got into grad school sometime this month! That will determine whether we stay in our new apartment for a while or just until August. If he doesn't get in, then we'll be preparing to move north so he's closer to work and doesn't have a 40+ minute commute every time he goes up there. That's one of the many factors preventing me from settling in with a job or anything right now...

SNOW! Oh wait...

Yes, we finally had snow here in Provo. However, that was a couple days ago and I'm just late on saying anything about it. So it's old news. All I know is that when I got home from trudging through the fresh snow back on Tuesday, I immediately threw on some comfy clothes, made some hot chocolate, and turned on a movie. So what if finals are in less than two weeks?! I'm a simple girl. Give me comfort on a snowy day and I will be happy.

In other news, my nail polish obsession is in full swing. I'm slowly getting better at doing things on my nails other than simply painting them all one color. It reminds me of my elementary school days where I would go to church every Sunday with a new design on my nails because I was obsessed with nail art. Well, I've found that obsession again. I'm just a bit (a lot) rusty.

And, for the record, I'm also obsessed with Julep nail polish. It just goes on so smoothly :)

I have been doing pretty good at keeping our apartment tidy... up until yesterday when I let the sink accumulate dishes and I decided to leave school supplies and my coat/gloves all over the couch. *Sigh... I was doing so well. At least my refrigerator has a friendly face on it that keeps smiling no matter what state my apartment is in!

These pictures are courtesy of Instagram, now that I actually (finally) have an account. I'm still new to the whole "Instagramming" thing so there aren't many pictures on my account yet, but you can still follow along!

There are only two weeks left until this semester is completely over with. Not that I'm counting or anything. The next couple weeks shouldn't be too bad though. I've been keeping all of my projects under thumb.

I have some fun things to look forward to, though! We have the BYU Ballroom Dance Company closing social to attend tonight, and it will be full of fancy clothes, yummy food, a live band, and lots of dancing. I'm getting a haircut (and I still don't know exactly what I want! GAH!). Next week I'll be performing a Viennese Waltz routine with my ballroom team at a Social Dance Lab. I'm singing in a trio this Sunday for church and then in another trio next Sunday. We have our ward Christmas party next Saturday at Aspen Grove. Also, I'm going to have the most awesome Christmas vacation ever. I won't say too much yet... spoilers! :)

I love the holiday season. So. Much.
Have I mentioned that?
So. Much.
I also eat way too much chocolate for my own good. But that's another story.

Chocolate Bowl... someday

I'm adding this to my list of "food crafts".

I'll just let the picture speak for itself.

Original Source Unknown

The question is, what would I need a chocolate bowl for?

One of my friends needs to hurry up and get engaged or something so that I can make this for a bridal shower. A chocolate bowl filled with strawberries. Perfection.

And the bowl is so... artistic!

P.S. You should go here and enter to win medium ad space on my blog.

P.S.S. Thanksgiving Break countdown: 4 days. I can hardly wait.

Halloween Wreaths and Stuff

First things first... are the falling leaves on my blog too much? Haha, I was having fun with finding animations...

Out of all the crafts I keep saying I want to do (but never get done), this is one that I've actually made:

You'd be surprised what you can come up with when you just put a bunch of different things on a wreath. Now I need to come up with a cute fall one and start thinking of Christmas ideas!

I just wish that I could put a hook on the door that's less obvious... but what can you do when you live in an apartment with a metal door?!

We've been having fun with cobwebs in our apartment.

But I have some cute stuff set up as well...

But mostly, we just have creepy stuff. Like this skeleton salt/pepper holder sitting on our lazy susan on our table.

Or these skeletons hanging from nooses on a rope attached to our smoke detector.

So yeah. Spiderwebs and skeletons.
I need to put candy corn in cute vases or paint some mini pumpkins. There are so many opportunities for fun, cute crafts and decorations during October...

Do you guys have any fun (and relatively cheap) fall decorating suggestions?

MORE crafts/recipes that I want to do...

More stuff from Pinterest...

Now I need to actually get off my bum and DO these projects!

Especially this one!
Paper pumpkins... SO cute!

                                                                                    Source: bhg.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Nails! I love stuff that's candy corn themed :)

                                                                   Source: adventuresinacetone.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

                                                                            Source: kingarthurflour.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Cute Pumpkin Candle Holder

                                                                           Source: my-weddingdream.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Um..... YUM!

                                                                    Source: akitchenaddiction.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Got any great fall Pinterest finds?
Let me know about them!
I love adding fall projects to my Pinterest collection!

I might just go with crayon art...

The more I look at melted crayon art, the more I love it.
Seriously.
You could get so creative with these projects.

Sooner or later, Doug and I are gonna have a crayon art date night.

I just decided it.

Of course I will post about it. It's gonna be awesome! And it better be a project that actually works or else I'll be sad.

By the way... there's a fun giveaway going on over at Glossy Blonde. Just saying. Go check it out!

How... PINteresting

This week, from Ashley's Pinterest boards... I know, so exciting...

Happiness is a choice.

                                                                          Source: findtheglasspenny.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Wallpapering the inside of a bookshelf... crafty!

                                                                                   Source: google.ca via Ashley on Pinterest

Precious!

                                                                      Source: attackofthecute.com via Ashley on Pinterest

True story.

                                                                  Source: daniellescraziness.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies... must make!!!!

                                                                     Source: thenonpareilbaker.blogspot.ca via Natalie on Pinterest

I've been on a chocolate/peanut butter craze recently.
You don't even know.

Don't worry, dear followers.
I'll be back with non-pinterest related posts soon!
Until then... keep pinning!
Hahaha. Ha. ha.

3 For Friday

Just 3 things for you all today...

First... this is why I want to visit the east coast during autumn. Gorgeous! You don't really see bright red trees on the west coast, or in the mid-west.

via

Second, I want to make a fall wreath.

Like this one.

Or 29 other fall wreaths shown on this site.

Third, you should all go vote for me at the first annual Livi Awards held at Color Coordinated!

Vote for Ashley for Best Role Model!

And why don't you follow Livi's blog while you're at it? Okay? Thanks.